Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Valley of Flowers also known in Hindu mythology as Nandan Kanan means “Garden of Indra in Paradise”. The Valley of Flowers is a glacial corridor, eight kilometres in length and two kilometres in width. Its floor slopes from almost 3,500 metres above sea level up to almost 4,000 metres. True to its name, the Valley is carpeted with wildflowers during the monsoon season. Known to the inhabitants as the Bhyundar valley, the Valley of Flowers is hidden from the scrutinizing eyes of the civilization. The valley was declared a National Park in year 1982.

Valley of Flowers

A pristine land of flowers

Valley of Flowers widely known for its riot of enumerable flowers and colours was accidentally discovered by a group of mountaineers. Apart from flowers the valley is bestowed with alpine meadows, forests, and sparse but exotic Himalayan wild fauna. The valley portion of the Park runs in the east west direction along the banks of river Pushpawati.

Trekking Path of Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers is also associate with the legendary story, which says that Hanuman picked Sanjeevani Buti (herb with healing power) from this region for treating the wounds of Lakshman, the brother of Lord Rama injured during the war with Ravana in Lanka. A temple ‘Lokpal’ dedicated to Lakshman exists near Hemkund Sahib. Hemkunt is known for magnificent Sikh shrine Hemkunt Sahib on the banks of Hemkunt Sarovar, and for which lakhs of tourists visit hear every tourist season.

Scenic view of Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers National Park starts from Ghangharia but the main valley starts after crossing the gorge and the stream originating from Nar Parvat, 3 km from Ghangharia. In front of the Valley stands the snow capped peak of Ratban Parvat and at the background is the Kunt Khal. Towards the left is Nar Parvat, which bisects the Badrinath valley from this valley, and to the right is thick Birch forest on the hill sides. Below the forest is the meadow. River Pushpavati flows through the valley and there are many waterfalls enhancing the beauty of the valley. The splendour and the dazzling beauty of the valley beckons tourists from all the corners of the world.

Valley of Flowers is a place of escape from the hustle-bustle of today’s city life. One would have to descend in winter to warmer and less snowy levels, but for nearly 4 months those in search of beauty and solitude can find peace in the Valley of Flowers. Of the many species which coexist in this unique ecosystem, the most popular among visitors are the Himalayan blue poppy native to the region, the uncommon varieties of primula and orchid which bloom during June, and the impatiens, potentillas, and campanulas which paint the valley pink, red, and purple during July and August.

A stone path meanders among the flowers and across streams. The flowers grow so tall that leaving the path is difficult. Few visitors continue beyond the first one or two kilometres inside the Valley. They pause to photograph flowers, drink from a mountain spring, and scan the valley floor for a glimpse of a grave rumoured to be there among the flowers.

Reaching the Valley of FlowersAir : The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 319 kmRail : The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, 302 km.Road : Off the Rishikesh-Badrinath road, 17 km from Govindghat. (25 km from Badrinath). From Govindghat the distance has to be trekked. Bus services are available to Govindghat. Porters are available at Govindghat and Ghangharia.

Known as Teerthraj or the ‘the king of pilgrimage’, Amarkantak was once the home of Gods till its solitude was disturbed by the hindrances of Rudraganas and hence the name Amarkantak whose literal meaning means immortal (amar) obstruction (kantak). Amarkantak is the origination point of holy river Narmada and Sone. Narmada is describes as the daughter of Lord Shiva. As per the saintly scriptures, river Narmada transcends all other sacred rivers with her strong asset as the daughter of Lord Shiva.

Amarkantak Temple

Yet, despite its name, the place still continues to attract thousands of people - reason being its association with Lord Shiva and as the source of the Holy River of Narmada which is considered even holier than the Ganga River. It is said that while a devotee needs one dip in the Holy Ganga, seven days' prayers on the banks of Yamuna and three days prayers on the banks of Saraswati, the mere sight of Narmada is enough.

According to legend, once a year, the river Ganga dressed as dark woman visits the Narmada takes a purifying dip in its waters when she herself is polluted beyond tolerance. For this reason, Amarkantak is considered as sacred to the Hindus and a door-way to ‘nirwana’. It is believed that who ever dies at Amarkantak is assured of a place in heaven. Also if a lady makes offerings of fruits and flowers will gain the respect of her husband, and no doubt she will also achieve a place in heaven.

Entrance of the temple

Shiv Temple

The holy town of Amarkantak attracts thousands of sages and devotees all through the year and therefore innumerous ashrams or religious retreats have emerged in and around this place. Nature has endowed Amarkantak with its gifts and its beautiful sylvan surroundings, picturesque ponds, cascading waterfalls and wildlife have made it a much sought after destination for the religious-minded as well as for the nature lover. The herbal plants like Brahmi, Kalimusli, Tejraj, Safemusli which increases the medicinal importance of this place as well.

Narmada kund and temples, Mai ki Bagiya, Sonmuda, Bhrigumandal, Kabir Chabutra, Ganesh temple(Bairagarh), Jwaleswar Mahadev temple are some of the religious places, Kapildhara, Dudhdhara, Shabhudhara, and Durgadhara are some of the beautiful waterfalls in Amarkantak.

Waterfall

Amarkantak tours mesmerized oneself with air of serenity. Along with its sanctified ponds, glittering streams, snotty knools and the woods such as Mahua and teak woods are all set to enthrall the onlooker. Amarkantak has the pleasent climate. The lush green mountains, an astonising waterfalls,the opaque forests, and the pictographic environs makes Amarkantak, a veritable paradise.

How to reach Amarkantak

Amarkantak is 71 Kms. from Anupppur, which is an important railway junction of the South Eastern Central Railway. Amarkantak is at a distance of 320 Kms. from Jabalpur and 265 Kms. from Rewa by road and around 100 Kms. from Shahdol. Jabalpur, Rewa, and Shahdol are all railway stations. The nearest railway station from Amarkantak is Pendra, which is 65 Kms. from Amarkantak. Pendra is in Bilaspur district of Chhatisgarh state. One can also reach Amarkantak by air. There is a permanent helipad at Amarkantak. There is also an airstrip at Lalpur in district Shahdol. One can reach Amarkantak by road. (90 Kms).

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